KARACHI, Aug. 11 -- After a poor showing in England,
Pakistan's all-rounder Shoaib Malik is likely to lose his place in
the team and with it his central contract with the Pakistan Cricket
Board (PCB). Sources in the PCB were quoted as saying on Tuesday that
the PCB was not interested in continuing with the all-rounder who has
failed to boost up Pakistan's inexperienced middle order in England
as the visitors got out below 100-runs on more than one occasion. The
sources said that top brass of the PCB would not renew the central
contract with Shoaib as selectors had shown their unhappiness with his
performance.

The PCB selectors are going to meet the chairman later this month
to present a list of names of the players they want to persist with for
the upcoming important season that includes World Cup 2011. After
getting penalized by the PCB for his involvement in off-the-field
activities and raising politics in the team, Shoaib was got selected in
the team on the recommendation of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza
Gilani, but the all-rounder has failed to cement his position in the
team. As nothing is final with the PCB chairman, Ijaz Butt, who is
notorious for taking u-turns on his statements, Shoaib might sneak away with another touch of politics, but Ijaz has made it clear some days ago
that Shoaib would only find himself in the team if selectors approve
him. Shoaib has scored only 89 runs in the three Test matches he has
played in England, two against hosts and one against Australia. Prior to
this tour, Shoaib scored only 46 runs in the last month's Asia Cup,
a performance that clearly speaks of his poor form.

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